Apr. 18, 1996

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Angels 5, Blue Jays 1

Angels 5, Blue Jays 1

Angels 5, Blue Jays 1

KEN PETERS

Apr. 18, 1996

https://www.apnews.com/329b87511d02646f26a7ab1f19c7e0a7

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ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) _ On an evening when they had good reason to have their minds on things other than baseball, the California Angels managed to put together a solid all-around game and end a four-game losing streak.

They also got an unexpected visit from Carew, whose youngest of three daughters died Wednesday morning after a seven-month struggle with leukemia.

Carew joined the team in the clubhouse briefly before the game, then stood with them in front of the dugout as the Canadian and U.S. anthems were played. Wearing a sweatshirt and slacks, he left shortly after the first pitch.

``You have to find ways to separate things at this level or you aren't going to be around here long,'' Finley said, alluding to the need to concentrate on the game despite feeling grief for Carew and his family.

The pitcher, who struck out 10 and allowed only three hits, added in a low voice: ``I had tears in my eyes when they had that little thing for her (Michelle) before the game. I think everybody did.''

California manager Marcel Lachemann also felt emotion.

``I think Rod felt that Michelle would have liked him here when they had a moment of silence for her,'' Lachemann said. ``He talked to them in the clubhouse for 15 or 20 minutes. They all knew what he was going through, but to see him and have him come by, I think it definitely helped.''

Angels catcher George Fabregas was moved by Carew's appearance.

``It was very hard, but he was clear that he didn't want it to be a distraction,'' Fabregas said. ``He wanted us to go out and play hard. He knew we had been struggling and needed a win.''

Toronto manager Cito Gaston said he didn't have a chance to talk to Carew, ``but I saw him on the other side when we were standing on the dugout steps and we gave him a moment of silence for his daughter. We can only feel for him. I have three daughters and a son, so my heart goes out to him.''

Randy Velarde singled three times and drove in two runs, and Gary DiSarcina had a two-run single in the third inning for the Angels.

Finley (3-1) walked two and allowed just one hit after the opening inning, when Miguel Cairo doubled in his first major league at-bat, then scored on Joe Carter's single.

The only other hit off Finley was Robert Perez's single in the fifth inning.

DiSarcina's hit helped California take a 3-1 lead in the second off Paul Quantrill (0-3). Velarde singled in the Angels' final run of the inning.

Quantrill gave up gave up five runs and eight hits in 5 2-3 innings and walked five, a career high.

Although light rain fell intermittently, play was never halted.

Notes: The private funeral for Michelle Carew will be Friday at Temple Beth Shalom. ... It was California's first complete game this season. .. Velarde's three-hit game was his second with the Angels. ... Carter's 1,075 RBIs since the start of the 1986 season are the most in the majors. ... Cairo, who turns 22 in two weeks, was recalled on April 12 from Triple-A Syracuse after spending all of last season at Double-A San Antonio in the Dodgers' minor league chain. ... Lachemann said that Jason Grimsley will be added to the roster later this week and that designated hitter Chili Davis may be back in the lineup by Thursday after missing three games with back spasms. .